LALIGA GAME IN US
LaLiga in US: Girona-Barcelona game in Miami rejected by FA
RFEF Luis Rubiales has written to LaLiga and Fifa to state the body's opposition to the proposed league game in Miami.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has refused to give LaLiga the green light to stage a Primera División fixture between Girona and Barcelona in the United States this season.
RFEF president Luis Rubiales has written to his LaLiga counterpart, Javier Tebas, to state his opposition to the proposed match in Miami on 26 January 2019, and has sent a copy of the letter to Fifa, world football's governing body, together with a second missive explaining his stance.
LaLiga must have the permission of the RFEF for the US fixture to go ahead.
The Federation particularly wishes to know why Girona-Barcelona has been chosen, with its objection to the choice influenced by the Spanish government's unease - given its potential political implications - about two clubs from Catalonia being involved. This is a view shared by Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
The RFEF has asked LaLiga for documentation clarifying "the agreement signed by the organisation to stage matches in the United States, of which fundamental aspects remain unknown, such as the obligations entered into and whether the consent of the United States exists, [...] and whether the consent of the clubs and actors involved in the competition exists."
In its letter to LaLiga, the RFEF adds that it has consulted with Fifa and European governing body Uefa to ascertain "the possible implications for integrity and general sporting principles that the decision to authorise this game could have, [...] and whether it is in line with the strategic directions of these leading international sporting bodies."
The Federation aims to "clarify the legal and contractual framework of this agreement, the obligations entered into and the rights of the entities affected by the game, whether additional income exists for the clubs and whether this would constitute preferential financial treatment". It also says that it does not know "which bodies have authorised this game", or whether LaLiga has "the unanimous approval of the rest of the clubs to carry it [the match in the US] out, and whether it has the agreement of the players".
The RFEF adds that "changing the match venue could affect season-ticket holders' rights and audiovisual rights", and warns that such a move "could have an influence on [...] the conditions of fairness that must be upheld at all times". "Other clubs could benefit or be left at a disadvantage by this circumstance," it concludes.
